I think religion is BS, but it seems that over time, the greatest leaders, the kings, queens and the elite rich of today are all die hard religious nuts. Did religion have a role in their power and success? it seems that almost every super rich non jew person is a big church goer. The same over history. what gives?

"Religion" is bullshit. I agree. Relationship with Christ however isn't. There's a difference. Any cult or even Christianity can make you rich. There are also a lot of rich preachers/tv evangelists because that's what they seek after. There are many biblical warnings of lusting after or having the "love of money". It warns of such people saying they have a "form of godliness" but deny its power. They use Christianity as a means to get rich and therefore set "a snare for themselves". There's nothing inordinately evil about money but lusting after after it is wrong. Its like sex, its good and intended by God to procreate and be pleasurable but out of the confines of a committed relationship (ideally marriage) it can potentially do great harm and often does. You only have to see the evils that have taken place due to people abusing it and placing it almost as a god in their lives, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, even some cancers have been linked to sex, hurt emotions, shattered relationships, emptiness, lack of respect for the opposite sex, sexual addiction, and porn fetishes. So the same can be said for the lusting to get rich for church going folks. Its just another pleasurable temptation that most of us desire but most never obtain and some are just happy to comfortably get by. I also think it depends on where you live as well. I live in Australia and there's not the pressure here as much to make lots of money like there is in the States. Over there you're on welfare for six months then you're forced to look for work. Here its more like years you can be out of work and continue to receive benefits. Tho they're cracking down a lot more and making it harder Ive heard.But yeah there are a lot of richy Christians/jews/. But I can tell you its probably being achieved through dishonest means. The prosperity gospel had a lot to do with this. Whenever you hear religious leaders talking in terms of (Name it and Claim it) (god wants you wealthy) etc, that is a false "gospel" and rubbish. Its totally anti-Christian and a lot of people have been led astray by it in the church. If you ever get the chance I'd highly suggest you check out a video if you're interested by Justin Peters called A Call For Discernment. Its excellent. And really explains that whole false gospel and the Heath and Wealth cult. Even if you're not Christian yourself its still a very good, eye opening video.